20mm Rose vs 1/72 A Call to Arms, Colonial foot

The photo above compares three plastic figures from A Call to Arms with two metal figures from Rose Miniatures. Click on the image to see a larger version.


THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The metal figures are from the Rose Miniature range, currently manufactured and sold by Garrison Wargames Figures. This figure is from the 20mm range, which also covers Napoleonic, American Civil War and First World War subjects. Garrison uses the following codes for these figures: ROSEAW1 “British private standing firing” and ROSEAW24 “Zulu Running with Assegi and Shield.”

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 20mm.
Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 22mm.

Availability and Cost:

The Rose figures are sold for £0.50 each, and can be ordered from the Garrison website:

http://www.garrisonminiatures.com/index.asp

Notes on the Samples:

The Rose sample was kindly provided by Garrison.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The A Call To Arms figures are from box 57, “British Infantry, Zulu War.” The box contains 32 figures in 8 poses. The company also offers a companion set of Zulus, but no other colonial-era releases.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 20mm.
Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 22mm.

Availability and Cost:

ACTA’s figures are currently available and can be found at hobby shops and online retailers.

Hinchliffe vs ACTA, Colonial foot

The photo above compares three metal figures from Hinchliffe (A,C,E) with a pair of plastic soldier from A Call to Arms (B,D). Click on the image to see a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The metal figures were originally released by Hinchliffe, and now are available from Hind Figures, who purchased the line in 2008, and are maintaining the brand.

These figures are included in Hinchliffe’s 25mm British Colonial range, and are cataloged as:

A: BC27, Officer at Rourke’s Drift
C: BC4, British Infantry Officer Advancing
E: BC30, Zulu Stabbing

The full range includes over 50 foot figures and 16 mounted figures, as well as guns and other equipment.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from ground to eyes): 24mm.
Height (measured from ground to top of head): 27mm.

Availability and Cost:

These figures can be ordered directly from Hind. The cost is 89 p (UK) for an individual figure.

The Hinchliffe page on the Hind website is here:

http://www.hinchliffe.co.uk/home.htm

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The A Call To Arms figures are from box 57, “British Infantry, Zulu War.” The box contains 32 figures in 8 poses. The company also offers a companion set of Zulus, but no other colonial-era releases.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 20mm.
Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 22mm.


Availability and Cost:

ACTA’s figures are currently available and can be found at hobby shops and online retailers.

RSM vs A Call To Arms, Napoleonic foot

The photo above compares three metal figures from RSM (A,C,E) with a pair of plastic soldiers from A Call to Arms (B,D). Click on the image to see a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The metal figures come from the former RSM 95 range, now produced by the Dayton Painting Consortium. The range includes foot and mounted figures representing Britain, France, Austria, Brunswick, Spain, Saxony and Bavaria, as well as some artillery pieces. There are about 75 Napoleonic codes in total in their catalogue.

I do not have the actual identification for these figures, although the one on the left is one of the Saxon models.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 20mm.
Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 22mm.

Availability and Cost:

The RSM figures are currently available from DPC. They are sold in bags of 24, including command figures, for $10.80 (US). The website is here:

http://www.dpcltdcom.org/

Notes on the Samples:

The Saxon figure was provided in a trade from Mike Epting.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The A Call To Arms figures are from box 50 “British Infantry 1815.” The box contains 32 figures in 8 poses.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 22mm.
Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 24mm.

Availability:

ACTA’s figures are currently available and can be found at hobby shops and online retailers.

Notes on the Samples:

The plastic samples were donated by Liam Sullivan.

A Call to Arms vs Minifigs, British Colonial foot

The photo above compares three metal figures from Minifigs (A,C,E) with a pair of plastic soldiers from A Call to Arms (B,D). Click on the image to see a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The metal figures come from the current Minifigs “Colonial Wars” range. That range includes 27 different foot poses for the British, as well as 12 mounted figures, and a pair of artillery limber riders.

The actual figures illustrated are:

(A) BC01: British Colonial Infantry advancing (light order)
(C) BC07: British Colonial Infantry Officer advancing
(E) BC03: British Colonial Infantry attacking (light order)

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 22mm.
Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 24mm.

Availability and Cost:

The figures are currently available from Minifigs in the UK and US. They are sold individually: the other ranks sell for £1.00, while the officer is £1.10 on the British site. For American buyers, all the castings are priced at $1.50 each. The websites are here:

http://www.miniaturefigurines.co.uk/Home.aspx

http://www.minifigs.com/catalog/

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The A Call To Arms figures are from box 57, “British Infantry, Zulu War.” The box contains 32 figures in 8 poses.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 20mm.

Availability and Cost:

ACTA’s figures are currently available and can be found at hobby shops and online retailers.

Qualiticast vs A Call to Arms, Napoleonic foot

The photo above compares two plastic British soldiers from A Call to Arms (A,C) with a pair of metal Frenchmen from Qualiticast (B,D). Click on the image for a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The metal figures come from Qualiticast’s Napoleonic Range. They are listed as code NF40 “French Imperial Guard Fusilier/Grenadier Standing Firing” on the original packaging. Note that this does not match the codes given in other places, such as at Brookhurst Hobbies (which carried them at the time.)

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 20mm.
Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 23mm.

Availability and Cost:

Qualiticast stopped producing figures around 2005 and it is now very hard to find remaining stock at hobby distributors. Used figures do show up on auction sites fairly regularly.

Notes on the Samples:

The samples were obtained from Mike Epting in a trade.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The A Call To Arms figures are from box 50 “British Infantry 1815.” The box contains 32 figures in 8 poses.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 22mm.
Body Build: Average.

Availability and Cost:

ACTA’s figures are currently available and can be found at hobby shops and online retailers. For instance, Netmerchants sells the box for £4.75.

Notes on the Samples:

The plastic samples were donated by Liam Sullivan.

ACTA vs Ral Partha, British Colonial Infantry

The photo above compares three plastic figures from A Call to Arms (A,C,E) with a trio of metal colonials originally from Ral Partha (B,D,F). Click on the image for a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The Ral Partha figures come from their “Colonials” range. According to a 1985 catalogue, this range included 68 codes, in three groups (covering the Zulu war, the Northwest frontier and the Sudan). Some of the codes contained more than one pose. The figures illustrated are from the following codes.

B: 88-003 “British Command Group”
D: 88-002 “Zulu War British Infantry Advancing”
F: 88-103 “Northwest Frontier Indian Command Group”

All the figures are now sold by Great Endeavours, using the same codes. The firm has also expanded the range with new complementary figures, including dismounted cavalry, figures for the Boer war, as well as others for the Boxer rebellion.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 22mm.

Availability and Cost:

As mentioned above, Great Endeavours currently distributes this range. They can be purchased from the GE website; the firm sells foot figures in groups of 10 (same pose) for $8.50 US.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The A Call To Arms figures are from box 57, “British Infantry, Zulu War.” The box contains 32 figures in 8 poses.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 20mm.

Availability and Cost:

ACTA’s figures are currently available and can be found at hobby shops and online retailers. For instance, Michigan Toy Soldiers sells the box for $13.99.

ACTA vs Newline, British Colonial Infantry

The photo above compares three plastic figures from A Call to Arms (A,C,E) with three metal miniatures released by Newline Designs (B,D,F). Click on the image for a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The Newline Design figures come from their Zulu War Range. The specific poses are

ZW6: British Infantry at Ready, (D,F)
ZW2A: British Advancing Firing (B)

The Zulu War range from Newline includes 25 different codes for the British side (some with multiple poses). Coverage include infantry, cavalry (mounted and dismounted), command and artillery.

Figures Characteristics

Height (from sole of foot to eyes): 20mm
Body Build: Average

Availability and Cost:

Newline Design figures are currently in production, and can be ordered directly from the manufacturer. Foot figures are sold in packs of four, for £1.75. In addition, the firm offers larger volume deals, such as 24 packs for £9.50, or 100 figure packs for £29.50.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The A Call To Arms figures are from box 57, “British Infantry, Zulu War.” The box contains 32 figures in 8 poses.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 20mm.
Body Build: Average.

Availability and Cost:

ACTA’s figures are currently available and can be found at hobby shops and online retailers. For instance, Michigan Toy Soldiers sells the box for $13.99.

ACTA vs Jacklex, British Colonial Infantry

The photo above compares three plastic British regulars from A Call to Arms (A,C,E) with a pair of metal colonials from Jacklex (B,D). Click on the image for a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer's Designation and Number of Poses:

The two Jacklex figures come from their Colonial Wars range. They are designated:

B: B18, “Indian Regular Officer firing pistol”
D: B16, “Highland Infantry Marching.”

The Colonial Wars range from Jacklex is primarily comprised of British troops and their enemies, but does have a small component of French Foreign Legion. They are probably best known for the accompanying equipment though, including wagons, a variety of artillery pieces with limbers, and teams of horses, oxen and mules.

Figure Characteristics:

Highlander Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 23mm.
Body Build: Average.

Availability and Cost:

Once an independent line, Jacklex figures are today produced and sold by Spencer Smith miniatures. The figures are sold individually, for 45p each or 85p mounted

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The A Call To Arms figures are from box 57, “British Infantry, Zulu War.” The box contains 32 figures in 8 poses.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 20mm.
Body Build: Average.

Availability and Cost:

ACTA’s figures are currently available and can be found at hobby shops and online retailers. For instance, Michigan Toy Soldiers sells the box for $13.99.

ACTA vs Newline, British Napoleonic Infantry

The photo above compares three metal Napoleonic highlanders from Newline Designs (A,C,E) with a pair of plastic British Regulars from A Call to Arms (B,D). Click on the image for a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The Newline Design figures come from their 20 mm Napoleonics range. They are from pack BR03 “Highland Command Advancing/Marching.” This pack includes four figures: the three shown above, plus a double of one of them, which varies by pack.

The Napoleonics range from Newline Design is extensive and covers all major participants. For the British, Newline has 89 different codes in their catalogue, some of which (such as the one illustrated here) have multiple poses.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 19mm.
Body Build: Average.

Availability and Cost:

Newline Design figures are currently in production, and can be ordered directly from the manufacturer. Foot figures are sold in packs of four, for £1.75.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The A Call To Arms figures are from box 50 “British Infantry 1815.” The box contains 32 figures in 8 poses.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 22mm.
Body Build: Average.

Availability and Cost:

ACTA’s figures are currently available and can be found at hobby shops and online retailers. For instance, Netmerchants sells the box for £4.75.

Notes on the Samples:

The plastic samples were donated by Liam Sullivan.

ECW Comparisons on Dux Homunculorum

Dux Homunculorum is a blog run by Alanus, an Australian devotee of 1/72nd scale wargaming (or as he says - "the One True Scale.")

Recently Alanus decided to investigate the options available for English Civil War gaming in this scale. He ended up with several comprehensive posts, including some comparison photos, as well as several pictures of painted and based units. His posts are here:


Part 1, Infantry
Part 2, Cavalry
Part 3, Artillery

Alanus considers the following plastic makers: A Call to Arms, Revell, Zvezda, Mars, Strelets, and GerMan.

On the metal side, he looked at SHQ and Tumbling Dice.

SHQ & Kennington vs ACTA, English Civil War foot

The photo above compares three English Civil War figures from A Call to Arms (tan plastic) with a similar number of metal troops from SHQ & Kennington (in black washed metal). Click on the image for a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The metal figures are offered by both SHQ and Kennington using the same catalogue information. They are catalogued as ECW 29 “Pikemen in Breastplate and Cabacete Helmet Marching.”

The Kennington & SHQ English Civil War range currently includes 62 foot poses: 26 pike, 24 musketeers, 8 lowland Scots, 3 officers, 2 artillery. In addition, the range includes one gun and 15 cavalry poses.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 19mm.
Body Build: Average.

Availability and Cost:

The metal figures are currently available and can be ordered from the manufacturer. SHQ offers the infantry in packs of 4 figures (in a single pose), at a cost of £2.50 UK. Cavalry come in sets of 3 figures with horses, at £4.50.

Notes on the Samples:

The models were generously provided by SHQ.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturers’ Designation and Number of Poses:

The A Call To Arms figures are from box 61 “Royalist Infantry.” The box contains 32 figures in 8 poses.

Figure Characteristics:

Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 21mm.
Body Build (from 5 categories): C (Average).

Availability and Cost:

ACTA’s figures are currently available and can be found at hobby shops and online retailers. For instance, Hannants sells the box for £4.50.

ACTA vs Les Higgins, ECW Foot

The photo above compares four metal English Civil War figures from Les Higgins to three plastic figures from A Call to Arms (ACTA). Click on the image for a larger version.

Manufacturers’ designations:

The ACTA figures are from box 61 “House of Campaign, Royalist Infantry.”

The Les Higgins figures come from their English Civil War range. From left to right they are: EP 14 (musketeer) EP 3 (pikeman), EP 1C (officer), EP 12 (drummer).

Height compatibility (measured from sole of foot to eyes):
A Call To Arms – 21mm.
Les Higgins – The LH figures are 21mm, except the officer in the middle who stands at just 19mm.

Body Build compatibility (from 5 categories):
A Call to Arms – C (average)
Les Higgins – C (average)

Overall conclusions:
A Call to Arms is the only plastic maker currently producing ECW figures. It is nice therefore to report that the Les Higgins figures are a perfect complement. Other than the one diminutive officer, the LH figures stand side by side with their plastic cousins, and share a similar sculpting style. This means it is entirely possible to mix figures in the same units if needed.

And finally, since the Les Higgins range does include other officers, it is possible to avoid the shorter sculpt if desired.